Coun Matthew Tomlinson, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “The Department for Education’s decision to issue an improvement notice represents the minimum level of intervention that can be placed on a council following an inadequate inspection and shows confidence in our ability to deliver the necessary improvements.

“However we understand the scale of the challenge and how important it is that the changes set out in our improvement plan are made quickly and effectively.

“Our plan shows how we are addressing the findings of the inspection report and progress made to date suggests we are on the right path.

“As we continue to develop it, the plan will set out a new vision for delivering the highest possible standards of care to children and young people across Lancashire.”

A report to the Performance Improvement committee also revealed the service will undergo two further external reviews over the next year. In October 2016, Bernie Brown, the Assistant Director of Children’s Social Care for Liverpool City Council will lead a regional team which will spend four days reviewing cases, referrals, assessments and practice.

In February next year the Local Government Association will facilitate a Safeguarding Peer Review.

The council has been told that the improvements must be achieved by the end of May next year or sooner.

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